musky on the fly

Does anyone here hunt musky with fly gear. I tried last year on a couple rivers but between the wind and current combined with a boat that was small with poor casting capabilities it was a huge failure. This year with new boat and large casting platform I plan on hitting more lakes where I pilot can assist in boat control. Now I need to refine my casting technique. I practiced with smaller flies but when moving ûp to the heavy, large profile musky fly it’s a whole different ballgame. Again, was wondering if anyone here tries their luck with fly gear.

I’ve spent some time chasing them on the rivers in nw wi.
A 8 1/2 or 9 ft graphite 9 or 10 wt rod is ideal. I fish weight-forward floating and sink-tip lines in from 9- to 11-weight sizes depending on the conditions. What kind of leader are you using? When choosing a line look for something with a hard finish and a big fly type taper that will cast and shoot well all day….saving your arm. Also, two words. Double haul.

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Also, two words. Double haul.

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X2 If you haven’t mastered this you really should. Your casting is much more efficient when you can double haul and it really saves wear and tear on your arms and shoulders.

Casting Video

It’s not just about distance, it makes you more accurate and it really takes a lot of the work out of it.

When you’re looking at a line consider getting one that’s one size higher than your rod is rated at. In other words, I use WF9F floating lines with my 8 weight. The heavier line loads the rod easier and punches a big fly through the wind better.

Good luck this summer!

Rootski

My favorite kind of fishing is catching Northerns with a fly rod. It’s a spectacular two handed experience. Traditional fly fisherman would be appalled with my techniques. But, they can’t argue about my success rate.

I start with a #14wt rod, tie on a metal leader and any bait I want up to about 1 oz. One of my favorite baits is chunking a 1oz Johnson Silver Minnow. I can see it pretty good work it’s way through the water. You can’t whip a big bait like that back and forth in the air without risking snapping the line. But, you can really cast that thing a long long long ways with a #14wt fly rod.

I have actually spent a fair amount of time with a buddy last year doing this also. We even managed 4 musky last year with the largest being a 40″ fish. Really the funniest time I have ever had fishing, but you are right in that casting those heavy flies is tough. One thing we have noticed is that the nicer lighter 10 wt rods we used actually ended up breaking over some of the trips we went on. The cheaper heavier rods are harder to cast maybe but held up a lot better. I would be happy to share what we have learned so far via PM and exchange information that way.

My 14wt rods were made for saltwater use. I wish they were cheap.

I’ve spent a bit of time chasing muskies on the fly, and it’s an experience to say the least. My suggestion is find a very low pressure body of water or smaller river (Cough Cough). It’s much easier to learn when you have fish who are not conditioned by 1000s of baits.

Here is what some of the best in the biz go with.

10 weight is the way to go.

The leader is pretty important too.

Start with 2ft of 50lb mono tied directly on to your line and then with a perfection loop tie on 4 ft. of 40lb fluorocarbon. With a big perfection loop connect the 40lb fluoro to 20 inches of 60lb fluorocarbon as a bite guard.

For the fly, take the 60 and make a overhand knot, but dont tighten down, then thread your fly on, make another overhand knot, the one after the fly will go into the first over hand knot then tighten, this will lock in, and will allow for the first overhand knot to open when you want to change flies.

I have used an intermediate or a full sinking line unless fishing poppers, then I will go with floating.

This is some of the stuff I learned from the guys up at MCO. They have it dialed!

I can see how that leader would work well to turn over a big air resistant fly….but I’d be nervous about a leader that’s stronger than the fly line. Worst case something has to break and I’d rather that be the leader instead of half a $75 fly line. Most flylines are about 30# test.

I’m surprised they use Fluoro instead of wire. I’ve had good luck with the knot-able stuff like Tyger wire.

Thanks for all the tips, great info!

Rootski

I love fishing for fish with all types of gear….that being said, I have been fly fishing and tying my own flies for 30 yrs this June and going after pike on the long rod keeps me awake at night with tremors and sweats! My PB on the fly is 47 1/2″….from a float tube!!

I use an #8 wt Temple Fork 3 piece rod and love it. it casts like a dream. now being an #8 people would normally think that I am casting an #8 line. Well, I am anything but ordinary…lol I prefer to load my #8 with a #9 Rio CLouser line. This line is made for chucking big half of a rabbit hide flies around with ease. Let me tell you, this line is phenomenal in my opinion. Best line I have ever rigged on an outfit. Overloading a rod with a line weight higher than the rod is made for is actually quite common among us pike / musky / carp rodders. it loads the rod nice and full and even in the wind I can cast my flies with ease. How big are my flies you ask? Well, usually that is a question I reserve for the ladies…… ……but I tie my toothy flies on 7/0 – 10/0 saltwater gamakatsu hooks with Kevlar thread and epoxy for the head cement. I am in dire need of a UV glue system such as Clear Cure Goo!!!

As for casting..echoing as said above..DOUBLE HAUL

This technique will be invaluable for you to learn. I also had the honor of receiving a 10 minute casting lesson from Lefty Kreh a few yrs back at the Great Waters Fly expo when it was still at the Sheraton hotel off of 100 and 494. He taught me his side casting style and I have pretty much eliminated my bad casting knots…aka..wind knots. I am old enough to know that when someone like that takes the time to teach you something….you shut up and listen

I learned more in 10 minutes than I could have in 10 yrs of casting.

Tossing big chunky salad muffins is a matter of slowing down. Unlike with a trout fly where the cadence is a good pace, it is best to wait until you feel the muffin bag’s weight on the back / forward cast. As for leaders, I have used two consistently. 1 – 20″ of 40 lb braid albright knotted to a 12 inch piece of #26 lb American Fishing wire, camo. I then use an arbor knot to attach the flies. The other I use is 20 inches of 40# braid with 12 inches of 40# fluro. Both work well but I do prefer the wire one.

Hope this helps….I’m probably going to be kept up all night waiting for the bloody season……

My baby…..

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for YEARS! I learned how to tie flies to learn how to make my own and be creative…… just the dreaming is fun but my casting is horrendous! I can bass/panfish cast just fine but my muskie flies leave a lot to be desired. As I write this, I plan to check out the casting video posted and see what I can pick up.

I have yet to be on muskie/pike water and been able to do anything serious. I have an 11wt. rod but I can’t remember what I have for line. I know it’s WF/F something….. and I want to believe it’s 11 but I just can’t remember.

I’m encouraged to see how many of us here are either doing it or have interest in it! I’m really hoping to learn more from all of you, as I continue my own efforts!

Hey Fishfreak, I was at that show! Lefty was amazing. He just casually waves the rod around and 80 feet of line flicks out where he wants it to go. It’s like Lefty is immune to the effects of gravity. I learned a lot at that seminar and also bought his casting DVD. Well worth whatever I spent on it.

I’ve been “overlining” my rods for years. Modern “fast action” rods are so stiff and fast they are a pain to cast with. Overlining them slows down the action and makes them a lot easier to use, and you can load up the rod and get that next cast out without unnecessary false casting.

I got a deal on a SA Sharkskin line at the last Expo, a WF9F. On my 8 weight Albright it shoots 15 feet farther than any other line I’ve ever tried. However you have to tape your fingers of use a stripping glove. Those little bumps on the line will saw your fingers off.

I’m getting excite too I’ve been tying and building rods all winter, now it’s time to start getting things wet!

Rootski

I am at work on break, so I am just going to post a short response here. The shows are pretty good. THis year it was a little crowded being in Blaine but at least there was a show. I’ll respond more in depth when I get home.

Just throwing this out there, but what about a monthly get together for those intereseted in flyfishing for warm water? We could also do fishing outtings / trips on either side of the state lines?

For those of us who have the experience, I know I for one would be more than willing to help as much as I can with casting, tying flies, or what ever one may need. Just a thought. We could find somewhere centraly located for us to meet such as a park with grass and open spaces along with picnic tables for tying or enjoying a barley pop.

Thoughts?

I like that idea. Sounds like fun.

I’m one of those guys that tries to do too much of too many things so I’m not sure how well I’d make the attendence but I’d love to meet up with some guys with knowledge. I KNOW I need some help!!!! I know I’m scheduled up pretty tight through June but maybe I could make something in July/August? If something like this is possible during that time, I know I’d REALLY like to be there! Feel free to PM me, as I really don’t check forums regularly.

I am exactly the same! If I’m not fishnig, I’m tying flies, or drawing, painting, building models airplanes, wood carving……….drives my wife nuts!

We will have to set something up where we are able to meet up and go over some stuff with you. Either on the water or whatever works for you.

Rootski

I have heard allot of good things about the sharkskin line but at the time it was too spendy for me. After carefull research I went with the Rio as my 2nd choice and it was a definate plus for me.
I’ll snd you a PM hopefully tonight. Work has been nuts again.